I know there is a lot of talk regarding what oil to use in BMWs if you aren't using their brand synthetic oil? I have searched through many online forums. My car just went out of warranty since it I just drove it over the 50,000 miles (currently at 54000) I live in South Florida so it does get in the 90s in the summer. I am planning on changing my oil every 7500 miles.

I know the below oils are approved with BMW Long-Life rating, but does it matter which one I pick? OR should I just buy whichever one below I can get the best deal on?

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

* Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30

* Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40

* Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

* Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

PS What do you think of these oil drain valves www.qwikvalve.com. I just bought one. U think there is any risk in using one?

If you want the best for your BMW, I would go with the Castrol Edge. If I were you, I would use the Valvoline SynPower because it comes with a 300K mile engine warranty when you start using it before 75K.

Overall, they are all good oils and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Note that the Valvoline that is approved is the MST version, and I believe that this is only sold in bulk in the United States. As in “55 gallon drum” type of bulk.

Also be aware that the Castrol Edge that is BMW approved is not available in the United States. The Castrol that you are looking for is the Syntec 0W-30. Hopefully this will change.

In terms of availabitly you are realistically looking at BMW oil from the dealer, the Mobil 1 0W-40 or the Castrol Syntec 0W-30. There do not seem to be any chemical engineers on this forum, and I would look upon any specific brand recommendations with a jaundiced eye. So get whatever LL01 approved oil is easiest for you to pick up. And I mean really approved, with “BMW LL01” on the back in little print. Not “recommended for”.

I know there is a lot of talk regarding what oil to use in BMWs if you aren't using their brand synthetic oil? I have searched through many online forums. My car just went out of warranty since it I just drove it over the 50,000 miles (currently at 54000) I live in South Florida so it does get in the 90s in the summer. I am planning on changing my oil every 7500 miles.

I know the below oils are approved with BMW Long-Life rating, but does it matter which one I pick? OR should I just buy whichever one below I can get the best deal on?

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

* Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30

* Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40

* Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

* Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

PS What do you think of these oil drain valves www.qwikvalve.com. I just bought one. U think there is any risk in using one?

As long as it's from one of the above and you stick with it, you'll be fine. BMW dealership $$ for oil tends to be very competitive.

A 7,500 mile oil change interval is half of what the BMW oil is designed for. Most cars have a 7,500 oil change schedule. Why not just stick with the BMW oil? Tischer sells an oil change kit for a reasonable price of $63 incl shipping. No Brainer.

I used Mobil 1 0W40 (now switching to GC 0w30.) Smoother idle when the A/C is running flat-out in middle of the summer as it's a bit thicker at high temp, plus better cold start lubrication as it's thinner when cold - truly a no brainer. Only downside might be very slightly higher friction and less gas mileage, although I didn't notice a hit when I changed from factory 5W30 (but it was summer in AZ), consider also that BMWs are developed in Germany with short, mild summers, and not FL or AZ. I'll change mine every 7,500 mls (as I did with my E46 with M1 0W40.)

I'm a fan of the magnetic drain plugs, it's a good way to see what's going in in the engine, and get more junk out - Turner carries them.

A 7,500 mile oil change interval is half of what the BMW oil is designed for. Most cars have a 7,500 oil change schedule. Why not just stick with the BMW oil? Tischer sells an oil change kit for a reasonable price of $63 incl shipping. No Brainer.

Is the Castrol Syntec they sell at Walmart the same as German Castrol Syntec?

The Castrol Syntec that is approved [the 0W-30] lists BMW LongLife 01 on the back of the bottle, along with its other approvals. In fact all of the approved oils will have the BMW approval on the back of the bottle.